Apparatus and method for hard mounting equipment to a mounting curb

Abstract

When hard mounting equipment having a base flange to a curb, a mounting method provides a relatively s-shaped restraint bracket shaped to fit over the top of the curb, and the bottom of the base flange, and having thru holes lined up perpendicularly to the bracket. This bracket is then mounted to the curb, and mounting holes are then drilled through the curb at the bracket thru hole location. The mechanical equipment is then placed on the curb, such that the base flange sits in the restraint bracket, and holes are drilled through the base flange at the location of the restraint bracket thru holes. A restraint bolt is then inserted through the holes and tightened in place.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A method for hard mounting mechanical equipment having a base flange, to a curb, wherein the curb has an inner perimeter and an outer perimeter, comprising the steps:
 Providing a restraint bracket, wherein said restraint bracket has a front side and a back side, wherein said front side is shaped like a U-bracket, having a front leg and a back leg; and wherein said back side is shaped like an upside down U-bracket, having a front leg and a back leg, and wherein said front side back leg is also said back side front leg; wherein said restraint bracket has at least one set of thru holes, wherein a set of thru holes comprises a thru hole in each leg of said restraint bracket, wherein said thru holes are aligned such that a bolt can be slid through all 3 holes at the same time, and when a bolt is installed in said restraint bracket through these holes, the bolt will be perpendicular to each leg;   Placing said restraint bracket back side over the curb, such that said restraint bracket front side is on the curb outer perimeter;   Mounting said restraint bracket back side to the curb using a mounting means;   Drilling a hole through the curb at the location of said thru holes;   Placing the mechanical equipment on the curb, such that the mechanical equipment base flange seats in said restraint bracket front side;   Drilling a hole through the mechanical equipment base flange at the location of said thru holes;   Inserting a restraint bolt having a head, a bolt portion, and an opposing locking means through all thru holes, said head first, from said restraint bracket front side front leg, through the base flange, restraint bracket, curb, and finally through said restraint bracket back side back leg, such that said locking means is outside of said restraint bracket front side front leg, and said head is completely through said restraint bracket back side back leg; and   Engaging said locking means.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said restraint bolt is a toggle bolt, wherein said head has a toggle nut with collapsible wings, wherein said thru holes are sized to fit said collapsed wings, and wherein said locking means is a nut. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said restraint bolt is a T-anchor wherein said head is a gravity activated toggle, wherein said locking means, is a nut. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising the step of providing an isolation pad between said restraint bracket, and the mechanical equipment base flange. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4  wherein said isolation pad is an elastomeric material.